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Sunbury Press has released Flesh and Blood, Doug and Shaun Brode’s first installment of his new Planet Jesus series.

About the Book:
“The PLANET JESUS Trilogy is just CRAZY – in the most WONDERFUL and CREATIVE way. Highly recommended – a must-read!” — Rod Lurie, director/writer/producer (KILLING REAGAN, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, STRAW DOGS, RESURRECTING THE CHAMP, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, etc.)

Where The Twilight Zone meets The New Testament is where ‘Flesh and Blood,’ the first volume in the PLANET JESUS trilogy, takes place. In his latest novel, Douglas Brode, now collaborating with his son Shaun L., retells the old story of The Christ with a new twist: The angel Gabriel, who descended from the stars to impregnate Mary, wife of Joseph, with a Divine Child was actually an ancient alien. His purpose was to create a high-level hybrid race so that civilization on earth could rapidly advance.

In “Book One: Flesh and Blood,” Brode and Brode tell the tale of Jesus’ childhood, from the earliest known adventures to that moment when, at age twelve, the Biblical hero appears to disappear from Israel. In “Book Two: Body and Soul,” the team will offer an explanation of the so-called Missing Years. “Book Three: Hope and Glory,” will re-evaluate the Return, the Mission, and the Crucifixion for 21st century readers.

What the Bible takes at face value as inexplicable metaphysical occurrences will be analyzed in a realistic manner, if according to the belief (as expressed in such influential books as CHARIOTS OF THE GODS) that ancient deities, as crudely recorded on the walls of caves and later presented as sophisticated artworks) were not the product of early humankind’s imagination but their attempts to document our First Encounters with extra-terrestrial beings.

PLANET JESUS also develops the ever-expanding theory that The Savior may well have been a woman: The Daughter, rather than the Son, of Man. Think of this as “Close Encounters of the Christ Kind.”

Doug at the well

About the Authors:
DOUGLAS BRODE is the author of more than fifty books including novels, graphic novels, non-fiction, and media history. During his lifetime he has been employed as a radio personality, a TV talk show host, a regional theatre actor, and a multi-award winning journalist. As a multi-award winning educator, Brode created the Film Classics program for Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.

SHAUN L. BRODE received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida’s film directors program and earned his Master’s Degree at Syracuse University. This marks his first collaboration with his father.

Dallas, TX — Since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, three theories have been forwaded as the involvement of Lee Harvey Oswald: that he was a lone assassin, as the Warren Commission claimed; that Oswald was a part of a vast, complex conspiracy to kill the sitting president, as those who reject the Warren report insist; and, finally, that Oswald was not involved, either singly or collectively, in what went down that day in Dallas. The greatest stumbling block to the latter has to do with hard, cold evidence: Not only was Oswald located on the sixth floor of the book depository that day; he absolutely carried a rifle with telescopic sight and fired it out the window. How could it be remotely possible, then, that Oswald was completely innocent as to JFK’s murder?

In his latest iconoclastic work, prolific writer DOUGLAS BRODE presents a detailed argument as to the theory of innocence, taking into account one of Oswald’s final statements–“I’m a Patsy!”–proceeding from there to trace this unique man’s entire life. Such materials are juxtaposed throughout the book with larger, greater world events that, when viewed from a contrarian perspective, may shed light on who actually wanted Kennedy dead and why. This non-fiction novel is written in the style of an imaginative work, yet events detailed here remain true to fact. As Brode reveals, we can precisely know what Oswald did and said that day, but what actually went on in his, or any person’s, mind can never be fully reclaimed from history, therefore reconstructed here in a freely creative manner to offer “a truth,” if not “the truth,” as to what may have actually happened fifty years ago, and why.

Excerpt from Douglas Brode’s book Patsy:

“I’m a patsy … A patsy!”

—Lee Harvey Oswald, November 24, 1963; 11:21 A.M.

As he returned, albeit briefly, to a state of semi-consciousness, Lee Harvey Oswald, age 24 and with less than ten minutes left to live, vaguely recalled saying those words into a TV camera. He couldn’t be certain as to when. Minutes ago? Perhaps. Years, maybe. A lifetime earlier or a split-second, if the concept called ‘time’ existed, something Lee had long since come to doubt.

Once those words were out, everything had suddenly gone dark, as if for a fade-out between a fifteen minute chapter on a television show and the commercials to follow. Funny, isn’t it? Lee thought, if thinking correctly describes what the swiftly dying man’s mind was capable of during those final moments. For now, thoughts and emotions could no longer be separated. The combination of the two tore through Lee’s tight frame and his human consciousness, or what remained of it. With end-game right around the corner, Lee Oswald attempted to understand his own self—however racked with pain—as well as the nightmare-world that had come to enclose him during his less-than-a-quarter-century on earth. Meanwhile, everything around him came in and out of focus whenever Lee managed to flicker his eyes. Bizarre shapes and odd shadows registered, if little else.

At this moment, life—or what Lee could in his agony still perceive of everyday existence—resembled an old black-and-white movie. That made sense, for nothing had ever meant as much to Lee as The Picture Show, as his mother Marguerite long ago had so quaintly referred to it: the one and only place where he had ever been able to set aside the ugliness of his daily reality and discover a few treasured hours of respite in a finer world.

Funny, all the same. For Lee Harvey Oswald had always, ever since he could remember, desired to be famous. Adored by the masses, those very people he had over the years come to hold in contempt. Bizarre how he needed, hungered for their attention, even admiration, perhaps adulation. And, in the early stages of the second-half of the 20th century, that he inhabited for at least a little longer, fame had come to mean television. Appear on TV and your life is fulfilled. The whole world is watching, even as you always believed they ought to be doing.

I was about to tell all … everything! … but as I recall only the first words were out … the prologue, so to speak … “I’m a patsy!” … then, before I could continue … Wham! … the noise, like thunder clapping … or a pistol firing . . yes, that must have been it … I do know the sound of a pistol … rifles, too … no, no, I can’t let myself laugh. Hurts too much … so let’s try to remain calm, concentrate … alright, I had spit those words out … and repeated the last two, just so all would be sure to hear me, loud and clear … and then I … inflated … like a little kid’s balloon some mean man pops with his cigarette while passing by on the carnival midway … no good reason to do so … just to be mean … oh, wait a minute, there was a reason … they had to silence me … of course! … ‘they’ … them! … all of them working together.

About the Book:
Whelan and Brode introduce the “SDP Model” (Scripting, Directing, Performing) to help you be more successful in your life.

As a corporate leadership development and training professional for the past twenty years, Jim Whelan has created and delivered many powerful programs to help attendees at all levels reach peak performance. Inspiring frontline team members and leaders alike, Jim is also a dynamic retreat leader and keynote speaker focused on personal and team performance in the areas of: Leadership, Strategic Planning, Customer Service, Coaching, Selling, Whole-Mind thinking, Team Problem solving and, of course, Star Power at Work! Learn more at www.starpowerbook.com.

Douglas Brode is a novelist, graphic novelist, screenwriter, playwright, film historian and multi-award-winning journalist. He teaches at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, Department of Television-Film-Digital Media, during the fall semesters and at the University of Texas, San Antonio, Department of Philosophy and Classics in the winter and spring. He has written for popular publications as varied as ROLLING STONE and TV GUIDE and academic journals including CINEASTE and TELEVISION QUARTERLY. Among his most recent books are ROD SERLING AND THE TWILIGHT ZONE (Barricade), DREAM WEST: POLITICS AND RELIGION IN COWBOY MOVIES (University of Texas Press, Austin), DRACULA’S DAUGHTERS: THE FEMALE VAMPIRE ON FILM (Scarecrow), and “PATSY!” THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD (Sunbury).

Contents:
Act I
Scene 1: Life Imitating Art
Scene 2: Creating Your Character
Scene 3: Something to Shoot For
Scene 4: The Protagonist’s Plan
Scene 5: You Are What You Learn

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — “Messages from Beyond”, Michele Livingston’s spiritual guidebook relating the popular medium’s views on metaphysical topics, was #1 thanks to author events and activities. John Cressler’s “Emeralds of the Alhambra,” a soon-to-be-released historical romance based in medieval Spain ranked #2 due to pre-sales.

Sunbury’s sales for May 2013 were up 28% over May 2012, with growth in eBooks outpacing growth in print. “Our strong start continues,” said publisher Lawrence Knorr. “Sales are up 49% year-to-date compared to last year. We’ve just returned from BEA with even more ideas on how to grow the top and bottom lines and increase opportunities for our authors.”

The just-released special Civil War edition of the “Keystone Tombstones” series by Joe Farrell and Joe Farley (with Lawrence Knorr) debuted at #3 thanks to author events and local interest.

Mike Campbell’s “Amelia Earhart – The Truth At Last” moved up a few notches, taking #4 on the list, despite TIGHAR’s attempts to debunk the author’s theories.

Charles “Ken” Godfrey’s “The Final Charge,” a revisionist history fantasy about the Battle of Gettysburg and Pickett’s Charge, returned to the charts thanks to the pending 150th anniversary of the battle.

Doug Brode’s “Patsy!”. about Lee Harvey Oswald’s involvement, or lack thereof, in the Kennedy assassination, continued to sell well thanks to a national advertising campaign.

Doug Gibboney’s just released “More Scandals of the Civil War” debuted at #8 thanks to author activities.

The company released five new titles during the month of May:
“Whimsy and Wry” by Guy Graybill
“Diamond Madness” by William Cook
“More Scandals of the Civil War” by Douglas Gibboney
“More Bread, Please” by Markus Roberts
“Keystone Tombstones Civil War” by Farrell, Farley & KNorr

Sunbury Press experienced its best April ever. In fact, it was the company’s best month since December 2011 and the best non-holiday month in its history! Sales for April 2013 were up 92% over April 2012, with growth in eBooks outpacing growth in print. “We’re moving at a good clip heading into BEA,” said publisher Lawrence Knorr. “Sales are up 52% year-to-date. We continue to expand our distribution channels and grow our direct-to-consumer and direct-to-store sales.”

The late Linnea Jepson’s “Linnea’s Kitchen: Yummy Ayurvedic Recipes and Life Lessons” has been selling briskly since the author’s unexpected passing. A second print run is being contemplated by her heirs.

“Emeralds of the Alhambra,” John Cressler’s soon-to-be released historical novel about religious harmony in medieval Spain has been bolstered by advance sales.

Susan Emmi’s newly released “As a Guest of Clive Barnes – Journeys through the Ballet with Clive Barnes and Others,” grabbed the 5 spot due to author activities in New York City.

Jess Steven Hughes’ novel “The Sign of the Eagle,” set in ancient Rome, was #6 in sales thanks to author activities.

“The 3-5-7 Model,” Darla Henry and Associates’ program to counsel grieving children, took the 7 spot thanks to author events.

“In the Shadow of a Mountain,” Susan Dahlgren Daigneault’s memoir about her famous father, WW2 hero Ed Dahlgren, “The Sergeant York of Maine,” stayed on the chart at #8 thanks to author appearances.

The company released five new titles during the month of April:
“Pit Bulls” by Anthony Julian
“As a Guest of Clive Barnes” by Susan Emmi
“A Matter of Love in da Bronx” by Paul Argentini
“Patsy!” by Doug Brode
“Translations of Favorite German and English Poems” by Fritz VonderHeiden

Dallas, TX – Sunbury Press has released Douglas Brode’s new novel “‘Patsy!’: The Life and Times of Lee Harvey Oswald.”

“Patsy!” by Douglas Brode

About the Book:
NOVEMBER 22, 1963: A DAY THAT CHANGED AMERICA

Since the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy, three theories have been forwarded as the involvement of Lee Harvey Oswald: that he was a lone assassin, as the Warren Commission claimed; that Oswald was a part of a vast, complex conspiracy to kill the sitting president, as those who reject the Warren report insist; and, finally, that Oswald was not involved, either singly or collectively, in what went down that day in Dallas. The greatest stumbling block to the latter has to do with hard, cold evidence: Not only was Oswald located on the sixth floor of the book depository that day; he absolutely carried a rifle with telescopic sight and fired it out the window. How could it be remotely possible, then, that Oswald was completely innocent as to JFK’s murder?

In his latest iconoclastic work, prolific writer DOUGLAS BRODE presents a detailed argument as to the theory of innocence, taking into account one of Oswald’s final statements–“I’m a Patsy!”–proceeding from there to trace this unique man’s entire life. Such materials are juxtaposed throughout the book with larger, greater world events that, when viewed from a contrarian perspective, may shed light on who actually wanted Kennedy dead and why. This non-fiction novel is written in the style of an imaginative work, yet events detailed here remain true to fact. As Brode reveals, we can precisely know what Oswald did and said that day, but what actually went on in his, or any person’s, mind can never be fully reclaimed from history, therefore reconstructed here in a freely creative manner to offer “a truth,” if not “the truth,” as to what may have actually happened fifty years ago, and why.

About the Author:
Douglas Brode is a novelist, graphic novelist, produced playwright, Hollywood screenwriter, film and TV historian, and multi-award-winning journalist. His more than thirty-five published books include the novel Sweet Prince, a retelling of the Hamlet legend, and Shakespeare in the Movies for Oxford University Press. He and Carol Kramer Serling collaborated on Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone, the only official analysis of that late author’s work and vision. Among Brode’s best known books are studies of the careers of directors Steven Spielberg and Woody Allen, such genres as the gangster film and the Western, and the relationship of popular culture to contemporary politics. Brode’s op-ed pieces are regularly syndicated to newspapers across the country. During the course of his lifetime, Brode has been employed as a TV talk show host, radio commentator, drama and film critic, regional theatre actor, and magazine editor. As an educator, Brode teaches at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, during the fall semester, and for the department of Philosophy and Classics, University of Texas at San Antonio, each spring.